The Atlanta Falcons went into Sunday’s Week 8 game against the Titans in sole possession of first place in the NFC South and the league’s easiest remaining schedule. But it didn’t take long at all for the Falcons to have a costly letdown.
A few weeks ago, the Falcons traded for former Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson. It was seen as an opportunity for Jefferson to regain the form he showed in 2021. Yet, he did himself no favors with one of the worst drops you’ll see in Atlanta’s 28-23 loss.
The Titans force a turnover on downs
📺: #ATLvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/T37T8ovYtF— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
With the Falcons down five and looking for a go-ahead touchdown drive, a fourth-down pass from Taylor Heinicke (who replaced Desmond Ridder) went right through Jefferson’s hands. With no timeouts remaining for the Falcons, that drop effectively ended the game.
And though one play didn’t lose the game for Atlanta, it was a pass that Jefferson absolutely needed to catch.
NFL fans were not kind to the veteran receiver after the horrible drop.
This was how Twitter reacted
Van Jefferson pic.twitter.com/eKM4ly1gQ7
— Austin Riley’s Rakes™️ (@RileysRakes) October 29, 2023
Van Jefferson dropped pass on 4th & 1 and that does it … https://t.co/3ha1yYyJv9 pic.twitter.com/BDYGxVVSj4
— ✈︎ (@GLORYJ3T) October 29, 2023
Van Jefferson…. pic.twitter.com/ENbpiXa2Ss
— Hersh (@JHershey21) October 29, 2023
I told yall he’s not a NFL player, Falcons did us a favor. https://t.co/qE8IpzJTBb
— Smoove 🦦 (@_Donnysmoove) October 29, 2023
That's an awful drop, awful. https://t.co/YpLc7bj1Sl
— Andy (@MooreFunk) October 29, 2023
Dang. This alternate angle of Van Jefferson is damning. Should have had it. pic.twitter.com/WC15Ke621c
— TheFlatIronKid (@TheFlatIronKid) October 29, 2023
VAN JEFFERSON YOU ARE COOKED. We lost the trade. Enough said pic.twitter.com/bHUknoQFg0
— 🔥ChefDom👨🏻🍳 (@11ChefDom) October 29, 2023
“Force” is funny word choice here https://t.co/lVTPx2Ki3l
— Dr. Turd Ferguson (@TurdFNOLA5) October 29, 2023
Hit the man right in his hand. Well at least we found our QB. Taylor better be starting next week. https://t.co/iJ8BIxP0Gy
— Travis Cunningham (@T_Mane87) October 29, 2023
